Utada Hikaru Anyone...?

[Jaydelart]

Originally Posted by CelestialChild

In regards to other Jpop singers, I used to think the same way. Now I realize that many of them actually can sing, but they use certain nasally and/or high pitched sounds that are very popular with pop music right now. At first I thought Ayumi Hamasaki was horrible, [and some of her early songs I still don't like as much], but after really listening to her one day and watching her perform, I suddenly understand her appeal. She's now one of my favorites. I think perhaps with a lot of other singers it's a great deal of how we view them with western tastes than their lacking the skills to sing.

I agree, and I've come to realize the same thing.

J-Pop Culture isn't the same as Western Pop Culture.
It isn't that female J-Pop singers generally can't sing, it's that they are performing according to their desired image -- which isn't necessarily a bad thing; performers are also artists.

In reality, all celebrities are at our mercy.
It is particularly more difficult for those who put their reputations on the line for fame through artistic expression; therefore, it is wise to always be aware of one's own image.

And this doesn't just apply to J-pop...
J-Rock culture is also somewhat different from Western Rock culture.

[Back on topic]

I've listened to a lot of Utada Hikaru.
I think she's beautiful both in appearance and craft.

The first song I heard from her was "Simple and Clean" from the Kingdom Hearts commercial on TV.

Originally, I'd thought she was American, from the sound of her voice.
She is Japanese... Born in New York... So I wasn't entirely wrong.

[AllICanSay]

Utada + Stargate: “Apple and Cinnamon”?
According to a new entry on BMI (a company that handles licensing on behalf of artists) a previously unheard Utada track titled “Apple and Cinnamon” has been registered. What makes the entry interesting are the two additional composers listed on the track (in addition to Utada): Eriksen Mikkel Storleer and Hermansen Tor Erik; also known as Stargate. The duo have been behind massive hits such as Beyonce’s “Irreplaceable,” Ne-Yo’s “So Sick,” and Rihanna’s most recent hit, “Take A Bow.”
Source: U.Blog

OMG this is like so freakin' awsome O_O

[greenteajunkie]

Has anyone heard Utada Hikaru's version of Fly Me To The Moon from Evangelion? It is so pretty!

YouTube - Neon genesis evangelion-Rebuild-Fly me to the moon

[hiromixmorita]

Originally Posted by Kokugen

I don't see a thread about her strange I though there'd be one, well anyways she's an extremely successful artist, all her albums but hit 1 number one on Japanese charts. She is the artist of all lyrical Kingdom Hearts music and she's only 24.

Anyways anyone listen to her? I'm listening to Sanctuary now.

i LOVEher songs and yes she is amazing!